How Do I Know When to Replace My Struts

If your original struts are worn out, damaged or leaking.  Leaking is easy to see, look for oil or wetness at the top of strut, damage or broken mount, badly dented housing or noise when going over bumps and turning.  But wear is often more of a subjective thing to judge.  There are also instances where the original equipment struts may not be worn, damaged or leaking, but may not be adequate for the job they’re being asked to do.  In such cases it would be best to measurer the ride height or bounce the car to judge rebound and damping.  Ther are several ways to upgrad the suspension with stronger, stiffer or some type of special shock or strut may be recommended to improve handling, for trailer towing, hauling overloads or other special uses.

How Long a Set of Original Equipment Shocks will Last

Some original equipment shocks may be getting weak after only 30,000 or 40,000 miles. Struts usually last upwards of 50,000 or 60,000 miles.

But when exactly a shock or strut needs to be replaced is hard to say.  Because the damping characteristics of shocks and struts deteriorate gradually over time, the decline in ride control often passes unnoticed.  So by the time to think you need new shocks or struts, it’s usually way past the point when they should have been replaced.

Replacing these worn components will restore the ride control and handling the
vehicle demonstrated when it was new. It also means longer tire wear. New shocks
and struts also help reduce potential wear of other steering and truck, SUV or
car suspension components.

Shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs or, better yet, all
four, for even, predictable handling and control. After all, all four have been
on the vehicle for the same number of miles and worked under the same
conditions. Remember, too, that whenever the struts are replaced, it becomes
important to check the alignment, as it may have changed, to protect your
vehicle tires and assure maximum safety.

Suzuki auto repair requires complex knowledge and some very specialized equipment.

That is why our Suzuki car repair shop technicians are ASE certified and experts in the field. Our technicians have been factory training and we use the latest computer diagnostic equipment. This high level training and equipment is just one of the ways we ensure your complete satisfaction.

Wilmington N.C. Suzuki Auto Service
Here are some of the reasons to choose us:

• Quality Service & Repairs

• Technicians Trained in Suzuki Vehicles

• Same Day In & Out Service

• 24 Month 24,000 Mile Warranty on All Repairs*

• 25+ Years of Experience

• Trust

• Done Right The First Time

• Good Advice

• No “Guess” Work

• The Right Team

• Auto Maintenance is Cheaper than Auto Repairs

• Nationwide Warranties on Most Auto Repairs

• No Warranty “Gotchas”

Suzuki Services We Perform

• Engine

• Suzuki Auto Transmission

• Manual Transmission

• Heating/Cooling

• Steering/Suspension

• Alignment

• Road Trip Inspection

• Pre-Purchase Inspection

• Smog

• Suzuki Clutch

• Air Conditioning

• Suzuki Maintenance

• Suzuki Tune-ups

• Battery

• Tires

• Brakes

• Shuttle Service and Rental Vehicles

Make an appointment for your Suzuki today
You won’t be disappointed with our work. We think you’ll be impressed with our customer service.  “Give Us One Chance to Earn Your Trust”

If you’re like most of us in Wilmington, you want your car to handle well. That’s the job of your suspension system.

There are different types of suspension systems, but they all work on the same basic principles. First, there are the springs, which bear the weight of the car. The most common springs are coil or leaf – although we see air springs and torsion bars more often. The springs do most of the work.

Visit our Wilmington location for an inspection of your suspension.
Atlantic Car Care
21 New Bern Street
Wilmington, North Carolina 28403
9107941390

But if all you had were springs, your vehicle would be bouncing around like a bobble head. That’s where the shocks come in. They control the rebound of the springs and smooth out the up and down motions. They also keep the tires on the road, and you in control. Some sedanss use struts. Struts are a combination of shocks and springs, together in a more compact system.

Shocks wear out slowly over time, so it’s hard to notice when they get badly worn. One way to tell is to look for an uneven, cupping wear on your tires. If the shock or strut is leaking fluid, it needs to be replaced. If your car feels floaty in turns or if the front end dips a lot when you stop, it is time to get your shocks checked. Your owners’ manual will tell you when your shocks should be changed – it’s usually between 15,000 and 30,000 miles or 24,000 and 50,000 kilometers .

When you replace a shock, be sure to replace all four. Then your car will have an even suspension and will handle much better. Talk with your service advisor about how you drive. No, not your traffic violations, but how often you carry heavy loads, tow a trailer or drive in rough terrain. If you do a bunch of that, you’ll need a heavy duty shock.

Regular shocks use hydraulic fluid and air as their dampening system. Premium quality shocks and struts use compressed nitrogen gas instead of air. Gas shocks don’t get air bubbles that affect the performance of regular shocks. If you do a lot of high performance driving, off-roading or just want added comfort and control, think about getting premium gas shocks or struts.

Replacing your struts may take your car out of alignment, so be sure to get an alignment at the same time. So, to smooth out the bumps on the road of life, change your shocks and struts when they need it.

If you’re like most of us, you want your car to handle well. That’s the job of your suspension system.

There are different types of suspension systems, but they all work on the same basic principles. First, there are the springs, which bear the weight of the car. The most common springs are coil or leaf – although we see air springs and torsion bars more often. The springs do most of the work.

But if all you had were springs, your vehicle would be bouncing around like a bobble head. That’s where the shocks come in. They control the rebound of the springs and smooth out the up and down motions. They also keep the tires on the road, and you in control. Some cars use struts. Struts are a combination of shocks and springs, together in a more compact system.

Shocks wear out slowly over time, so it’s hard to notice when they get badly worn. One way to tell is to look for an uneven, cupping wear on your tires. If the shock or strut is leaking fluid, it needs to be replaced. If your car feels floaty in turns or if the front end dips a lot when you stop, it is time to get your shocks checked. Your owners’ manual will tell you when your shocks should be changed – it’s usually between 15,000 and 30,000 miles or 24,000 and 50,000 kilometers .

When you replace a shock, be sure to replace all four. Then your car will have an even suspension and will handle much better. You can talk with a service advisor at Atlantic Car Care about how you drive. No, not your traffic violations, but how often you carry heavy loads, tow a trailer or drive in rough terrain. If you do a bunch of that, you’ll need a heavy duty shock. You can reach Atlantic Car Care at 9107941390 or stop by at 21 New Bern Street in Wilmington.

Regular shocks use hydraulic fluid and air as their dampening system. Premium quality shocks and struts use compressed nitrogen gas instead of air. Gas shocks don’t get air bubbles that affect the performance of regular shocks. If you do a lot of high performance driving, North Carolina off-roading or just want added comfort and control, think about getting premium gas shocks or struts.

Replacing your struts may take your car out of alignment, so be sure to get an alignment at the same time. So, to smooth out the bumps on the road of life, change your shocks and struts when they need it.

When you hear the word ‘suspension‘, you may think back to those energetic days of grade school. Well, your car’s suspension is actually a good thing because it keeps your car up off the road and helps provide a comfy ride. It needs to keep your wheels firmly planted over bumps and through curves. Your suspension system has many parts. If you look under your car, it’s basically everything that connects your wheels to the car’s frame. These are heavy duty parts that do a lot of work. They need to be inspected for damage and excessive wear at least once a year. A good time for this is when you get your annual alignment service.

Here are some warning signs that your suspension may have problems:

• the car pulls to one side;
• it wanders;
• the steering is erratic;
• you see uneven tire wear;
• you experience a poor ride or handling;
• you see oil leaking from shocks

. . . you get the picture. You just don’t feel in control when you’re driving.

Some suspension parts just wear out with use. Shocks and struts eventually lose their ability to control your ride. Wheel bearings need to be repacked every couple of years. And some suspension pieces need to be lubricated when you get your oil changed. Your service advisor can oversee an inspection and tell you what problems you may have.

If you’re in an accident, your suspension can be damaged or knocked out of alignment. Even a minor accident, like hitting a curb around Wilmington or even a large rock can mess things up. With a minor accident it’s tempting to just get an alignment or wheel balance to correct the problem. But if there’s some damage, a simple alignment won’t actually fix the problem, and you’ll just have to align it again after the repairs are made. So if you have an accident, get your suspension system inspected right away. Suspension problems should be fixed immediately because they can lead to unsafe handling.

One big cause of suspension damage is potholes – those nasty magnets that seem to draw our tires right into them. Here are some tips for avoiding damage from potholes: First, keep your tires at their full air pressure. That gives tires their maximum resiliency and will hopefully keep your wheels or other suspension parts from crunching on a big hole. Next, just pay attention. When you see a hole you can’t miss, slow down before you hit it. Driving at a slower speed will limit the damage, and may keep your drink from spilling. But don’t brake directly over the pothole. That will cause the car’s weight to shift forward and add to the potential damage.

So don’t put off an inspection of your suspension. We promise the principal won’t be involved.

Atlantic Car Care
Give us a call today at 9107941390.
Or stop by at 21 New Bern Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403